wheeled toys



July 26, 1927.

G. E. PRITCHETT WHEELED TOY Filed March 8. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M 1927' s. E. PRITCHETT WHEELED TOY al ZP/"z'Zc/zeif.

Filed March 8. 1926 Patented July 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. PBITOnTT, OI BUTTE, MONTANA, ASBIGNOB OF ONE-FIFTH T JOSEPH A. BAIPBON', OF BUTTE, MONTANA.

Application fled larch 8, 1826. Serial No. 88,289.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in toys, and particularly to wheeled toys.

One object of the invention is to provide a toy which is readily and quickly adjustable to serve as a scooter, or as a wagon so that the boy may pull the same, or ride thereon or therein.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which maybe readilv folded so that it may beconveniently carried under the arm.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which is simple in construction, and which is strong and durable in operation.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device in folded position, or that assumed when used as a scooter.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view ofthe device when extended for use as a wagon.

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 3, showing the locking means for the foldable side members of the frame.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 represents a pair of superimposed flat metal straps of metal, the forward ends of which are curved forwardly and upwardly, as shown at 11, and swiveled between the forward ends of said straps is the forked frame 12, which has the ground wheel 13 supported therein. Disposed in crossed relation between the rear ends of the straps 10 are the levers 14, a pivot member 15 being disposed through the said ends of the straps and the intermediate portions of the levers, whereby said levers will be capable of toggle movement. Disposed longitudinally at each side of the straps 10 is a metal strap or bar 16, the rear portions of.

the inner faces of which carry the brackets 17 to which are pivotally connected the rear ends of the levers 14a Secured to the forward portions of the inner faces of the bars 16 and extending longitudinally forward therewith, are the vlongitudina 1y slotted strips 18, within which are slidablv disposed the other ends of the crossed levers 14. Each of the said ends of the levers 14 is provided with a vertically disposed pin 19 which plays between the strip 18 and the bar 16, whereby to maintain said lever end in engagement with said bar and strip. Slidable between the forward straight portions of the straps 10 is a block 20, and pivotally connected to each end thereof is one end of a link 21, the other end of said link being pivotally connected with the adjacent or forward end of a side bar 16. Secured to the rear portions of the bars 16 arethe offset'members 22, and disposed; within each fork thus formed is a ground wheel 23,the axle of which is rotatably supported in the bar and member 22.

There are thus provided two wheels for supporting the rear of the device. Pivotally mounted between one of the side bars and the adjacent member 22, is a lever 24, said lever being formed with a series of notches I for receiving the pin 19 whereby to lock the frame in adjusted position, upon swinging the lever into its upper position, between the bar and member. The free end of the lever is provided with a downwardly rojecting handle loop 26, which is adapte to be grasped to move the lever into and out of'locking position. In the upper edge of the lever, adjacent the handle 26, there is formed a shoulder 27 which is adapted to engage with the said pin 19, when the frame is completely collapsed, whereby to maintain the frame in such position, the notches 25 serving to hold the frame in different extended positions. I

Disposed on the upper strap 10, and extending longitudinally thereof, is the wooden platform 28, the forward end of which is secured by the rivet 29, while the rear end is secured by the pivot member 15. It will be noted that the side bars 16 have their upper edges disposed in the plane of the upper face of the platform 28, whereby a box, or other similar object may flatly rest on said platform and bars, when the bars have been moved outwardly away from the sides of the platform.

When the device is in the position shown in Figure 1, 2, and 3, it is adapted for use as a scooter, in which position the rear wheels 23 are close together, and perform the function of a single wheel. When the device is adjusted to the position shown in Figure 4, it is adapted for use as a wagon, in which event the operator may sit upon the same, or carry various loads thereon. In the use of the device as a scooter, the handle, shown at 30 as pivoted within the upper end of the forked frame 12, is maintained in vertical position by means of the spring pressed sleeve 31, carried by the handle, said sleeve having a pair of lugs 32 which engage in notches 33 in the upper end of the frame 12. When the device is used as a wagon, and the person desires to be seated thereon the handle is swung into a position extending rearwardly over the platform within convenient reach of the rider. when, however, the wagon is to be ulled, the handle is swun over to extend forwardly therefrom. If t e owner desires to carry the device he simply collapses the frame a ainst the sides of the platform and swings tie handle down onto the plat orm, thus permitting the device being conveniently placed beneath the arm.

Disposed through one of the side bars 16, adjacent one of the rear wheels 23, is a short shaft 33, on the outer end of which is formed an upwardly extending arm 34, and on the inner end of which is formed a downwardly and rearwardly extendingarm 35, this latter arm being arranged to bear on the hub of the wheel, when the shaft is rocked in one direction, whereb to act as a brake for said wheel. Pivotal y mounted on the said side bar, at a convenient point forwardly of the rear wheel, is a foot lever 36, and connected to one end of this lever, at one of its ends, and to the outer end of the arm 34, at its other end, is a wire or rod 37 which serves to rock the shaft 33 to apply the brake upon the rider rocking said lever with his foot. Thus the rider has complete control of the speed of the device.

What is claimed is:

1. A wheeled toy including a longitudinal frame having the forward end extended upwardly and forwardly, a steering wheel mounted on said extended end, a platform.

mounted longitudinally on the frame, bars disposed longitudinally at the sides of the platform, a member slidable in the said frame, links connected to said member and to the said bars, levers pivotally connected to the frame and having one end pivoted to one bar and the other end slightly engaged with the other bar, and ground wheels on the rear ends of said bars.

2. A wheeled toy including a frame, a steering wheel supporting the forward end thereof, a platform on the frame, bars disposed longitudinally at the sides of. the platform, ground wheels carried by the rear ends of the bars, a member slidably supported by the frame, links pivotally connected to the member and to the forward ends of said bars, crossed levers pivoted on said frame and each having one end pivotall connected to one of said bars and slida 1y engaged with the other bar, and means on one of the bars for engagement with one of said levers for locking the lovers in different fipositions whereby to dispose the bars at di erent distances away from the platform.

3. A wheeled toy including a frame, a steering wheel mounted on one end of the frame, a platform mounted on the frame, bars disposed at the sides of the platform, a link pivotally connected to an end of a bar and pivotally connected to the frame, ground wheels on the other ends of the bars, and crossed levers ivotally connected to the frame and each having an end pivotally connected to a side bar and the other end slidably engaged with the opposite Side bar.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

GEORGE E. PRITCHETT. 

